Artificial tree structure

ABSTRACT

Improved structure for an artificial tree such as a Christmas tree having a hollow trunk with hollow sleeved limbs pivotally mounted on the trunk at decreasing distances therefrom toward the tree top for folding of the structure into minimized volume. Electrical wiring extending from limbs through the tree trunk provides an integral lighting system and adds structural rigidity while limb covers provide maximized realistic appearance.

United States Patent Inventor Kenneth C. Lu

134 York Dr., Piedmont, Calif. 9461 1 Appl. No. 5,839 Filed Jan. 26,1970 Patented Sept. 7, 1971 Continuatlon-in-part 0! application Ser. No.636,858, May 8, 1967, now abandoned.

ARTIFICIAL TREE STRUCTURE 5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 240/10 R, 161/24, 240/10 T Int. Cl ..A47g 33/ 16, A47g 33/06Field of Search 240/ 10,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,708,324 5/1955 Wedden240/10T (X) 2,826,845 3/1958 Warren 161/24 3,115,435 12/1963 Abramson161/24 3,159,523 12/1964 Abramson 161/24 FOREIGN PATENTS 692,999 8/1964Canada 161/22 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews AssistantExaminer-Robert P. Greiner Attorney-Gregg & I-lendricson ABSTRACT:Improved structure for an artificial tree such as a Christmas treehaving a hollow trunk with hollow sleeved limbs pivotally mounted on thetrunk at decreasing distances therefrom toward the tree top for foldingof the structure into minimized volume. Electrical wiring extending fromlimbs through the tree trunk provides an integral lighting system andadds structural rigidity while limb covers provide maximized realisticappearance.

PATENTEUSEP mm 3603.780

- sum 1 or 3 77 i i W flrronvsrs PATENTEB SEP 7197a sum 2 BF 3ARTIFICIAL TREE STRUCTURE This application is a continuation-in-part ofmy prior copending Pat. application Ser. No. 636,858 filed in the US.Patent Office on May 8, 1967 and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION There have been developed a variety of differentstructures for simulated trees and at least certain of these have beencommercialized as artificial Christmas trees. It is, for example, knownto form artificial trees of lightweight metal tubing with attachedsimulated springs and many commercially available units are soconstructed. It is also known to form artificial trees of various typesof plastic. Considering artificial Christmas trees somewhat further, itis noted that same should be as realistic as possible so as to closelyresemble the fir, spruce, or the like. Such an artificial tree shouldalso be sturdy, lightweight and readily folded into compact form forstorage, as well as readily admitting or incorporating means fordecoration and lighting. In this latter respect, metal artificial treesare considered unsuited for the stringing of Christmas tree lightingsets thereon because of the possible danger of short circuits to thetree itself.

Folding artificial Christmas tree structures are shown, for example, inUS. Pat. Nos. 1,694,974 and 2,708,324 while artificial Christmas treesincorporating lighting systems are shown for example, in US. Pat. Nos.1,656,148 and 1,677,972 as well as German Pat. No. 929,872. A morerecent improvement in this field is shown in Canadian Pat. No. 692,999.

One of the difficulties encountered by prior art workers in the field isthe relative incompatability of realism in an artificial Christmas treewith the requirement for compact folding and ready handling as well asintegral lighting. Even though prior art artificial Christmas trees haveprovided for the folding of limbs, it will be appreciated that smallside branches on limbs necessary to provide the fullness for realisminterfere with each other in any folding operation. Thus prior artartificial Christmas trees of the folding limb type have an inverted Vconfiguration but in folded condition have a V configuration with butlittle decrease in overall volume.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention provides an improvedstructure for an artificial'tree having a'highly improved foldingcharacteristic while at the same time incorporating an integral lightingsystem. The limbs of each whorl are pivotally mounted at the samedistance from the trunk but the distance outward from the trunk forpivoting of the limbs of each whorl decrease toward the top of the tree.This then provides for minimum interference between the limbs and sidebranches thereof so that the tree may be compactly folded into a minimumvolume.

There is additionally provided by the present invention an integrallighting system energized by wires extending through the tree trunk andlimbs into permanent engagement with light bulb sockets formed in thelimbs. Not only is this integral lighting system advantageous for theintended purpose thereof but, furthermore, the wiring of the system isherein employed to impart rigidity to the tree'itself. One of theproblems encountered in the construction of an artificial Christmas treeor the like is the minimization of weight with maximization ofstructural rigidity. The present invention employs hollow, generallytubular members for trunk and limbs with electrical wiring disposedtherein and, in accordance with the present invention, this insulatedinterior wiring is tensioned between tree base and the various terminithereof so as to add structural strength to the thin-walled hollowmembers.

There is further provided by the present invention that the individuallimbs extending outwardly from the trunk shall be formed as thin-walledmetal tubes of tapering diameter with plastic sleeves fitting thereover.Structuralstrength is provided by the inner metal tubing and realisticappearance is attained by the use of segmented generally cylindricalcovers or sleeves formed of plastic that may then be molded as desired.

of weakened structure at the joinder oflimb and trunk is overcomethereby.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES The present invention is illustrated as toparticular preferred embodiments thereof in the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an unfolded artificial tree inaccordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial elevational view showing the connection of a limband the trunk;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view in plan taken in the plane 3-3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken in the plane 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram of the self contained lighting system of theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a trunk coupling member;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view taken longitudinally through apreferred embodiment of a limb structure of the artificial tree; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the artificial tree of FIG. 1 infolded condition.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1 there willbe seen to be shown an artificial tree structure 10 in accordance withthe present invention including a trunk 12 formed of relatively rigidtubular material such as plastic or metal extending vertically upwardfrom a substantial supporting base 14. Preferably the trunk is formed insections with tubular members of graduated sizes to achieve the naturaleffect of a decrease in diameter toward the top of the tree. Forexample, the lowest section 12a is secured to the base 14 andtelescopically receives the lower end of the section 12b. The sectionsare preferably permanently secured together and sequentially smallersections 12c, 12d and 12e are united as by securing them to successivehubs or coupling members 16 on which are carried a plurality oflaterally extending limbs 18 from which, in turn, extend branches 20 ofsuitable plastic material made to simulate the branches of a tree.

Referring now to to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 there is shown a hub or couplingmember 16 between adjacent sections 12b and 12c of the trunk and inwhich the trunk sections are telescopically received and secured inplace as by bonding. Extending from the central portion of the couplingsections 16 are integral tubular or cylindrical mounts 22 as best seenin FIG. 6. This coupling section 16 is formed as a single integral unitas by casting and includes fillets at the juncture of the centralvertical tubular portion and the laterally extending cylindricalportions 22, as shown, in order to minimize the loss of strengthnecessarily involved in the inclusion of openings laterally through thecentral portion. Each of the cylindrical extension of the couplingsection are the same and considering the single extension to the rightin FIGS. 2 and 3 it will be noted that the upper portion of same is cutaway to form a concave recess or receptacle 24. The inner end of thelimb 18 is then pivotally mounted on the connector 22 as by means of apivot pin 26 extending through the inner end of the limb and across theconcave receptacle 24. Hence the limb may be pivoted upwardly toward theaxis of the trunk to the position shown in phantom in FIG. 2 but whenpivoted downwardly the limb is limited by engagement with the bottom ofthe receptacle so as to extend in the manner shown in FIG. 2. It willthus be seen that the receptacle forms a positive stop to locate thelimb in its desired position laterally of the trunk.

It is to be particularly noted that the cylindrical projections orconnectors of the coupling members 16 differ in length between separatecoupling members. While the pivot points for each limb at any particularvertical location are the same distance from the trunk, it will beclearly seen from FIG. I that the pivot points of the limbs are spacedfurther from the trunk at the bottom of the tree than at the top andthis distance progressively from the bottom of the tree toward the top.Consequently, the present invention provides for folding of the treeinto a compact mass so as to occupy a minimum volume. This is clearlyillustrated in FIG. 8 wherein the artificial tree structure of thepresent invention is illustrated in folded condition. In order to trulysimulate a tree there is provided in the present invention an abundanceof foliage in the form of limbs and branches therefrom. However, thismilitates against compact folding. Any attempt to fold the limbsupwardly from adjacent the trunk will necessarily result in a V-shapedfolded unit because of interference between the limbs and branches infolded condition. The present invention, however, provides for pivotingof the limbs upwardly from decreasing distances from the trunk towardthe top of the tree so that there is attained a minimized folded volumeby the tree.

The interiors of the trunk and limbs are in communication through thecoupling members 16 and the cylindrical extensions or mounts 22 thereof.Electrical conductors 34 are strung through the trunk and limbs toenergize a self contained lighting system for the tree that is highlyadvantageous for Christmas tree structures. A plurality of electricalsockets 28 extend through the limbs at spaced points therealong and may,for example, be formed in the manner shown in FIG. 4 with side openingsat which limb sections are joined. Preferably the sockets are of aconventional type that includes means 32 for piercing the electricalconductors 34 to bring the socket into electrical communicationtherewith for illumination of a bulb 36 placed in the socket. As shownin FIGS. 1 and 5, the selfcontained lighting system may include a lightsocket 28 at the top of the trunk and a plurality of sockets spacedalong each limb, all of which are preferably electrically connected inparallel by the conductors 34. Parallel connection is advantageous notonly for the obvious reason of continued bulb energization upon a singlebulb failure but also to increase the number of conductors lower downthe trunk to thus fill the trunk for additional strength. The conductors34 are reduced in number to two at the base 14 and are there connectedto the base, although electrically insulated therefrom. Naturally theconductors each are insulated and they are tensioned in connection tothe base so as to place the trunk and limbs in compression and thusimpart additional structural strength thereto and reduce the tendencythereof to bend or sag. A plug 41 is attached to the end of the pair ofconductors 40 extending from the base 14 for engagement with a walloutlet to energize the lighting system.

As an additional feature of my invention, I provide a plurality of hooks42 forming a part of and depending from the bottoms of the limbs 18(FIG. 2) as readily available means for suspending ornamental balls 44or the like.

The present invention may also include a covering on the limbs toimprove structural rigidity while at the same time improving reality ofthe structure. Referring to FIG. 7 there will be seen to be shown a limb18 which in this instance includes a central thin-walled metal tube 51which is pivotally mounted on the coupling member I6 as described above.A plurality of contiguous plastic sleeves 52 are slipped over the limbtube 51 as shown. Particularly in the case of long limbs this structureprovides structural strength with realistic appearance. An end piece 53of plastic fits the end of the tube 51 as shown. Particularly in thecase of long limbs this structure provides structural strength withrealistic appearance. An end piece 53 of plastic fits the end of thetube 51 to hold the sleeves in place and the inner sleeve is cut away toaccommodate the pivot mounting as shown. The tube 51 may be replaced bya metal bar or red with wiring alongside within the sleeves.

There is also shown in FIG. 7 the utilization of the electricalconductors to impart additional rigidity to the limb. The conductors 34are anchored to the end piece 53 of the limb and are drawn tightlythrough the coupling member 16 down the trunk into ultimate connectionto the base 14. This tensions the limb tube 51 to thus improve thestructural rigidity thereof.

It will be appreciated that the artificial tree structure of the presentinvention is highly advantageous in folding compactly into a minimumvolume while the same time exhibiting a remarkable realism andexceptional structural strength both in coupling members and trunk andlimbs. Such attributes commend the structure to widespread use.

I claIm:

1. An artificial tree structure comprising a plurality of tubular trunkmembers with each including a coupling member having a vertical tubularportion with integral lateral cylindrical extensions communicating withthe tubular portion,

said trunk members being connected end-toend to form a continuous singletree trunk, the cylindrical extensions of said coupling membersdecreasing in length toward the top of the tree trunk,

a plurality of tubular limbs pivotally mounted one on each couplingmember extension for folding upwardly toward the trunk, the distancebetween the trunk and the pivot point of the limbs decreasing toward thetop of the tree trunk for compact folding of the structure,

electrical conductors extending to at least certain of said limbs andthrough the trunk via said coupling members, and

light sockets on said limbs with means extending into the limbs intoelectrical connection with said conductors.

2. The tree structure of claim I further defined by said electricalconductors being attached to the limbs adjacent the outer ends thereofand extending in tension through the limbs ans trunk into attachmentwith the trunk at the bottom thereof for maintaining the limbs and trunkin compression.

3. The tree structure of claim I further defined by said limbs eachincluding a substantially rigid central hollow tube and a plurality ofcontiguous molded plastic sleeves disposed on the tube and maintainedthereon by an end piece closing the outer end of the tube.

4. The tree structure of claim 1 further defined by the pivotal mountingof said limbs including an upwardly facing concave receptacle at the endof each coupling member extension, the inner end of each limb normallynesting in a receptacle, and a pivot pin extending ng across thereceptacle through the inner end of the limb therein.

5. The tree structure of claim 1 further defined by said trunkincreasing in diameter toward the bottom thereof and said conductorsconnecting said sockets in parallel to thus include an increasing numberof wires in the trunk toward the bottom thereof, said wires filling saidtrunk in tightly packed relation therein for connecting the tree trunkmembers into a single continuous trunk of substantial structuralstrength and limited flexibility in the upper portion thereof.

1. An artificial tree structure comprising a plurality of tubular trunkmembers with each including a coupling member having a vertical tubularportion with integral lateral cylindrical extensions communicating withthe tubular portion, said trunk members being connected end-to-end toform a continuous single tree trunk, the cylindrical extensions of saidcoupling members decreasing in length toward the top of the tree trunk,a plurality of tubular limbs pivotally mounted one on each couplingmember extension for folding upwardly toward the trunk, the distancebetween the trunk and the pivot point of the limbs decreasing toward thetop of the tree trunk for compact folding of the structure, electricalconductors extending to at least certain of said limbs and through thetrunk via said coupling members, and light sockets on said limbs withmeans extending into the limbs into electrical connection with saidconductors.
 2. The tree structure of claim 1 further defined by saidelectrical conductors being attached to the limbs adjacent the outerends thereof and extending in tension through the limbs ans trunk intoattachment with the trunk at the bottom thereof for maintaining thelimbs and trunk in compression.
 3. The tree structure of claim 1 furtherdefined by said limbs each including a substantially rigid centralhollow tube and a plurality of contiguous molded plastic sleevesdisposed on the tube and maintained thereon by an end piece closing theouter end of the tube.
 4. The tree structure of claim 1 further definedby the pivotal mounting of said limbs including an upwardly facingconcave receptacle at the end of each coupling member extension, theinner end of each limb normally nesting in a receptacle, and a pivot pinextending ng across the receptacle through the inner end of the limbtherein.
 5. The tree structure of claim 1 further defined by said trunkincreasing in diameter toward the bottom thereof and said conductorsconnectinG said sockets in parallel to thus include an increasing numberof wires in the trunk toward the bottom thereof, said wires filling saidtrunk in tightly packed relation therein for connecting the tree trunkmembers into a single continuous trunk of substantial structuralstrength and limited flexibility in the upper portion thereof.